PREVALENCE OF DEPRESSION, ANXIETY AND STRESS AMONG WOMEN INMATES IN ETOT REFORM CENTER, DUHOK GOVERNORATE, KURDISTAN REGION OF IRAQ

ABSTRACT Background: Depression, anxiety and stress are most common mental health problems causing variety of somatic, behavioral, cognitive and general health effects which could range from mild to life-threatening. Being inmates can cause or worsen symptoms of men-tal illnesses. The present study determines the prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress among women inmates in Etot Reform Center in Duhok Governorate, Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out on 53 women inmates in Etot Reform Center in Duhok Governorate, Iraq over the period from February 15th to May 15th 2023. Depression, anxiety, and stress were assessed by using the standardized Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 Items (DASS-21). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 27. Categorical data were described by their frequency and frequency percent. Fisher-Freeman-Halton Exact test was used to test the association between depression/anxiety/stress and so-ciodemographic variables. Results: The prevalence of depression was 73.6%, anxiety was 84.8% and stress was found to be prevalent in 68% among women inmates. Depression and anxiety classified as moder-ate while stress classified as mild. Conclusions: Based on the findings presented which concluded a higher prevalence of de-pression, stress and anxiety among inmates than the general population, there should be ap-propriate interventions such as introducing a framework of mental health and psychosocial support, activities to cope with new environment and more in-depth research in the future.